TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- For the second year in a row, we’re not letting the offseason get us down.

Spring football seems like it was 40 years ago and we're still a few days away from SEC Media Days -- the unofficial kickoff celebration to the 2013 season.

That's why, over the next few weeks, we'll be taking an in-depth look at all 12 of Alabama's opponents. At the very least, it will get the conversation going in the direction of football and away from whatever else sports fans in Alabama discuss during the summer.

We’re moving forward with a team that lost to Alabama by more than anyone in 2012.

The coach: Bret Bielema (first season at Arkansas; seven seasons at Wisconsin, 68-24)

Last year’s record: 4-8 (2-6 SEC), finished sixth in West Division

What happened?: A tumultuous offseason that saw Bobby Petrino fired and replaced by interim coach John L. Smith paved the way for one of Arkansas’ worst seasons in years. In two September weeks, the Razorbacks went from being ranked No. 8 in the nation to unranked and at a loss for answers after an overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe and a 52-0 embarrassment of a performance against Alabama in Fayetteville. It truly never got much better, as quarterback Tyler Wilson couldn’t do much with the Razorbacks’ offense and the defense was even worse than it had been during the Petrino years. Conference wins over Auburn and Kentucky only proved that the Razorbacks were not, in fact, the worst team in the SEC. With Smith fighting a losing battle against bankruptcy, Arkansas lost its final three games to finish with just four wins.

Statistically speaking

- Rushing offense: 118.67 ypg (104th nationally, 14th in SEC)

- Passing offense: 301.50 ypg (21st, 3rd)

- Total offense: 420.17 ypg (49th, 6th)

- Scoring offense: 23.50 ppg (89th, 12th)

- Rushing defense: 124.08 ypg (19th, 5th)

- Passing defense: 285.83 ypg (113th, 14th)

- Total defense: 409.92 ypg (73rd, 12th)

- Scoring defense: 30.42 ppg (81st, 12th)

- Turnover margin: - 1.58 (118th, 14th)

Offensive starters/lost: 4/7

Defensive starters/lost: 7/4

Biggest loss: QB Tyler Wilson -- Though his senior season wasn’t anywhere near as good as his junior campaign, Wilson was still among the nation’s best at his position. Over his final two seasons with the Razorbacks, Wilson completed close to 63 percent of his passes, threw for more than 7,000 yards and 45 touchdowns. He was the trigger man on an offense that was absolutely electric in 2011 and occasionally showed flashes of its old self in 2012. His departure leaves the Razorbacks with few options moving forward. It will be on the shoulders of Brandon Allen, who threw two interceptions against Alabama last season, to get Arkansas out of the dumps in 2013.

Most important piece back: DE Chris Smith - He’s the biggest playmaker on a defensive line that should be fairly formidable in 2013. Smith led the Razorbacks in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (13), the latter of which ranked seventh in Arkansas history. Under the radar for most of his career, Smith has been recognized by a number of college football magazines and watch list creators heading into his senior year. He’s the cover boy for Arkansas’ edition of Athlon Sports’ preseason magazine and he was recently named to the Bednarik Award watch list. With reliable interior lineman and solid Trey Flowers on the other end of the line, defenses won’t be able to pick on Smith with double- and triple teams.

Before Alabama: Arkansas hosts South Carolina on Oct. 12

Toughest test outside of Alabama: Texas A&M, Sept. 28

The buzz: The hiring of Bielema was a downright stunner, but for Arkansas fans, it was a pleasant surprise after an eight-month stretch of total calamity. Bielema has ruffled a few feathers with his bravado, his taken-out-of-context comments about Nick Saban at a booster club event and his hopes of slowing down hurry-up offenses, but he seems to have endeared himself fairly well to Hog fans. The task, particularly for 2013, is tall, especially when you consider that Bielema wants to shift Arkansas’ offense in the ground-and-pound direction. That 2013 promises to be a rebuilding year shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to Arkansas fans, especially when you look at the Razorbacks’ tough schedule and evaluate the strength of their competition in the SEC West. That means Bielema’s honeymoon period should extend through 2014.

Why the excitement: Bielema and a new coaching staff that includes former Tennessee assistants Jim Chaney (offensive coordinator) and Sam Pittman (offensive line) bring stability to a program that desperately needed it. After losing Knile Davis, the Razorbacks don’t appear to have much in terms of proven commodities at running back, but there’s some definite promise. Top-rated signee Alex Collins could be the immediate future at a position that becomes even more important under Bielema’s system. Tight end signee Hunter Henry could be talented enough to see the field in 2013. Center Travis Swanson was second-team All-SEC last season and could very well be in the mix for the Rimington Award in his final year with the Razorbacks. The defensive line, with Flowers and Smith on the ends and Byran Jones and Robert Thomas in the middle, should be the backbone of the Hogs’ defense. Arkansas returns four starters in the secondary, including safety Eric Bennett.

Why the worries?: The Razorbacks weren’t exactly prolific on offense in 2012, and they’ll be without seven of those starters in 2013. Allen is in line to be a starter, as Brandon Mitchell transferred to North Carolina State after spring practice. Allen was underwhelming in his spot duty last season, completing 21-of-49 passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Two years ago, Arkansas was loaded with playmakers at wide receiver, but it’s no longer a position of strength. Outside of Swanson, the offensive line remains a work in progress. Arkansas doesn’t know quite what it has at linebacker, as veterans A.J. Turner and Otha Peters were injured throughout the spring. Kicker Zach Hocker missed seven of his 18 field goal attempts last season.

The more you know: In its last six meetings against the Razorbacks, Alabama has averaged 39.8 points per game.